Role of UNSC in Enforcing the WMD Treaties - Coursework Example

Resolution 1540 was passed and this greatly contributed to the involvement of the UNSC in the enforcement of WMD treaties.  Any nation that violates the WMD treaty is usually referred to the UNSC for action. The UNSC has in the past taken action against several countries including Iran and North Korea for violating WMD treaties. The UNSC mainly imposes sanctions on the countries that have failed to comply with the treaties and it also has the power to approve military action against such countries.

However, there has been criticism that the 5 permanent members of the UNSC have used their veto powers to advance their interests as well as their political interest. However, the UNSC has played an important role in terms of ensuring that terrorists do not access and use the WMD. Peaceful means have also been used in the past by UNSC to encourage the members to solve the issues related to the violation of WMD treaties. It is recommended that the UNSC should continue playing its role actively during the implementation process but it should ensure that political as well as national interests are eliminated to create more trust.

• Introduction

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the organs that were established under the UN charter. Its primary role is to maintain international peace and security at all times. The UN charter also gives the Security Council four responsibilities. They include maintaining international peace, developing friendly relations among different states, ensuring corporations in solving international problems, and promoting human rights through being the center for harmonization of the actions of the nations (Staffer & Erica, 2014 p. 7).

The United Nations Security Council plays an essential role in making sure that nations do not antagonize the peaceful coexistence of other nations. However, in the recent past, the body has been occasionally been criticized for failing to exercise its mandate by failing to take any action against some of the states. To fully carry out its terms of office, all the member states have to agree on the resolutions that are passed by the Security Council. A state or state must bring complaints to the council for action to be taken. The first step usually involves trying to solve the problems between the states in an amicable manner. However, the failure of the states to do so may attract sanctions. The United Nations Security Council also has the power of permitting states to take military action against the aggressors (Roberts & Dominik, 2013 p.16).